Container assembly

ABSTRACT

A container assembly is disclosed. The container assembly includes a container that contains a volume. Selected portions of the container assembly may be removable. A spigot assembly may be removed and associated with a filter assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/812,704, filed on Mar. 1, 2019. The disclosure isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to a container, and particularly to acontainer including a dispensing mechanism.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

A container may hold a volume of a fluid, such as liquid water, for aselected period of time. The container, however, may generally need tobe accessed to allow for a fluid to be removed from the container at aselected period of time. Generally, for example, a lid of the containermust be removed to access an interior of the container to access thefluid contained therein.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A container may be formed of a selected material, such as a foodsuitable polymer, metal, and/or glass. The container may include aplurality of walls, such as substantially orthogonally formed walls toform side walls and/or a base to define an interior volume. The wallsmay also be formed at generally non-orthogonally angles relative to oneanother. Additionally, the container may include removable features,such as a lid or filling cover, to allow for ease of access to fill thecontainer. In various embodiments, the container may include a bottom orlower wall from which side walls extend. The bottom wall may bepositioned on a surface and/or have legs or protrusions extendingtherefrom.

In various embodiments, the container may further include a dispensingsystem. The dispensing system may include one or more valve mechanismsthat selectively allow removal or dispensing of fluid from thecontainer. The valve system may extend through a side wall, or aselected wall portion of the container, to allow access to the interiorof the container without opening the container. The valve mechanism maybe operated by a user in a selected manner to retrieve or empty aselected volume from the container.

Additionally, a selected filter mechanism may be associated with thevalve to selectively filter material exiting the container. The filtermechanism may be fixed to the valve mechanism in a selected manner.

The valve mechanism may be removed from the container at a selectedtime, or at a selected rate, to allow access to the filter mechanism.The filter mechanism may be connected to the valve mechanism or assemblyand be removed as a single unit. In various embodiments, the filtermechanism may be connected to the valve mechanism to allow for ease ofremoval of the filter from the container. In various selectedembodiments, the valve assembly may include an indication mechanism toindicate a timing for replacement and/or cleaning of the filtermechanism from within the container. The filter mechanism, therefore,may be used in an efficient manner for filtering of fluid from thecontainer as it exits the container through the valve mechanism.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a first side elevation view of a container and valve assembly,according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a second side elevation view of the container assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a first end elevation view of the container and valve assemblyof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a second end elevation view of the container assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the container assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevation view of the container assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a first top perspective view of the container assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 9 is a second top perspective view of the container assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 1with a lid removed;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a lid assembly, according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a valve and filter assembly, accordingto various embodiments;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a valve assembly, according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the container assembly of FIG. 1taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the container assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a filter assembly, according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a valve assembly, according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 17 is a detailed partially exploded view of the valve assembly, ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an exploded valve assembly, according to various embodiments;and

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an indication method, according to variousembodiments.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

With reference to FIGS. 1-11, a container assembly 30 is illustrated.The container assembly may be used for various purposes, such ascontaining and/or dispensing a fluid. The fluid may include water thatis filled into the container assembly and then released therefrom. Thewater may be filled into the container unobstructed and unfiltered. Thewater may, then, be filtered on demand as it is dispensed form thecontainer assembly 30. A filter assembly may be positioned at or inconnection with a valve assembly for dispensing fluid from the containerassembly 30.

The container assembly 30 includes a container including a plurality ofwalls, such as a first side wall 34, a second side wall 38, a first endwall 42, and a second end wall 46. Further, the container assembly 30may include a spigot assembly 50 and a handle 54.

In the discussion herein, the several walls 34-46 may be individually orseparately referred to as end or side walls, front and back walls, etc.,and the reference herein is merely for reference of the currentdisclosure and not intended to limit the disclosure herein, unlessspecifically stated. Accordingly, the first side wall 34 may be referredto as a left side wall and the second side wall 38 may be referred to asa right side wall. Again, reference to right or left side walls ismerely for clarity of the current discussion and not intended to limitor require any particular orientation.

The spigot assembly 50 may extend through the first end wall 42 andopposite or opposed to the second end wall 46. Thus, the first end wall42 may also be referred to as a front wall and the second end wall 46may be referred to as a back wall. Again, the orientation is merely forthe current discussion, and not intended to require any particularorientation of the container assembly 30.

The container assembly 30 may include various removable or movable wallsor portions, such as a top or lid 58. The lid 58 may be removable, asdiscussed further herein. The lid 58 may engage a selected portion ofthe container assembly 30 and cover a portion of an internal volume 62defined by the container assembly 30, such as the walls 34-46. Thecontainer assembly 30 may further include an access panel 64 that may bemovable relative to the lid 58. Further, the container assembly 30 mayinclude a bottom wall or floor 66.

Accordingly, the container assembly 30 may include a container member orstructure 68 that defines or contains the internal volume 62 by thevarious walls 34, 38, 42, 46, 66, and the upper lid wall 58. Theinternal volume 62 may be filled with a selected material, such as afluid (e.g. water). The material within the internal volume 62 withinthe container 68 may be accessed through selected mechanisms, such aswith the spigot or valve assembly 50, as discussed further herein. Invarious embodiments, fluid may be filtered as it is removed from thecontainer 68 through the spigot assembly 50.

The internal volume 62 may be filled by removing or moving the lid 58and/or moving or removing the access panel 64, as also discussed furtherherein. In this way, the container volume 62 may be filled withoutfilter and without obstruction. The fluid may enter through the accesspanel 64 or the lid 58 without obstruction and fill the volume 62without waiting and/or filtering. Accordingly, the container assembly 30may be used to contain a selected material within the internal volume 62and accessed at a selected time and/or rate, such as with the spigotassembly 50.

The container 68 may be formed of selected materials, such assubstantially food safe materials. In various embodiments, the container68 may be injection and/or bore molded from selected polymers, such aspolystyrene. Other appropriate polymers may also be used to form thecontainer 68 and/or lid 58. Additionally, various non-polymer materialsmay also be used such as glass, metal or metal alloys, or otherappropriate materials. Thus, the container 68 may be formed of selectedmaterials to allow for containing a fluid in a substantially water orleak tight manner.

Further the container 68, such as formed by the various walls 34-66, mayinclude mechanisms to allow for easy filling and/or transport, such asto assist in the ease of filling and/or transport. For example, thehandle assembly 54 may form or define a void 72 between a first surface74 of the handle 54 and the wall 42. A user may extend one or moredigits through the void 72 and grasp the handle 54 and/or the wall 42 toassist in moving the container assembly 30. Additionally, the rear orend wall 46 may define a projection or curved ledge 78 that extends fromthe rear wall 46 a selected distance. Accordingly, a user may engage thecurved wall or ledge 78 with one or more digits of a hand or a portionof a hand to assist in moving the container assembly 30. Thus, thecontainer assembly 30 may be easily grasped and moved by a user, such asusing two hands, for transport from a selected location to a secondlocation. Transportation may be from a filling station to a storage areaor reverse.

In various embodiments the container 68 may include dimensions such as aheight 80. The height 80 may be about 200 millimeters (mm) to about 300mm, and further including about 280 mm. Further the container 68 mayinclude a selected width that may taper from an upper or top widthdimension 84 to a bottom or lower width 88. The upper width dimension 84may be about 90 mm to about 150 mm, including about 110 mm. Further, thebottom or lower width dimension 88 may be about 70 mm to about 95 mm,and further including about 80. The taper may be any appropriate amount,such that the outer walls, such as the first side wall 34 may extend atan angle 92 relative to a central perpendicular axis 94 (e.g. an axisnormal to a flat surface below the container 68 and/or floor 66). Theangle 92 may be about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees, including about2.5 degrees. Further, the container 68 may include a depth dimension 98that may be a maximum dimension of the container assembly 30. Thecontainer 68 may also include a depth dimension 102 that may be adimension of a lower portion of the container 68. Accordingly, invarious embodiments, the container assembly depth dimension 98 may be amaximum depth dimension of the container assembly 30 and the containerdepth dimension 102 may be a depth dimension of the container portionalone. The maximum depth dimension 98 may be about 500 mm to about 300mm, including about 400 mm. The container depth dimension 102 may beabout 200 mm to about 500 mm, and further including about 300 cm.

In various embodiments, therefore, the container assembly 30 may beformed of a selected dimension or a plurality of dimensions for variousportions of the container assembly 30. For example, the containerassembly 30 may be dimensioned to be positioned within a refrigerator,such as on a refrigerator shelf, to maximize outer dimensions of thecontainer assembly 30 and/or maximize shelf space while maximizing thecontainer volume 62 within the container 68. For example, the depthdimension 98 may be a standard depth dimension of a refrigerator and theheight dimension 80 may be a general or average height dimension betweentwo shelves in a refrigerator to maximize the internal volume 62 whileminimizing the width dimension 84, 88 of the container assembly 30.

As discussed above, the side walls 34, 38 may angle away from thecentral axis 94, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 3. The angle 92 maybe any appropriate angle, and may be selected to assist in maintainingstructural integrity of the container 68 during containment of a volumeof liquid or fluid within the internal volume 62. For example, when thecontainer 68 is full or has a selected fluid therein, pressure may beexerted on the walls 34, 38. The selected angle may assist indetermining or providing a selected rigidity to the container 68 when aselected volume is therein. The dimensions of the container 68 may alsoassist in stability.

Further, the container 68 may have selected regions, such as a foot orstand region 110, a top portion or region 114, and a mid- or containmentregion 116. The regions 110, 114, 116 may be any appropriate dimensions,including those discussed herein, and are provided for illustration anddiscussion of various portions of the container 68. It is understood,therefore, that the specific dimensions may be selected based upon afinal or total volume or dimension of the container 68.

In various embodiments, as noted above, the rear portion of thecontainer 68 may include an upper or curved region 78. The curved regionor portion may be formed in the upper region 114 of the container. Thecurved portion 78 may have a selected radius 120 measured from a center122 of an arc or circle. The radius 120 may be selected for variouspurposes, such as assisting in maintaining a selected structuralintegrity of the container 68 and/or engaging a hand or portion of theuser. Further, the front wall 42, such as near the handle 54, mayinclude a curved region or engagement portion 124 and may also have aselected radius 126 that extends from a center 128 of an arc or circle.Again the radius 126 may be selected for various purposes, such asassisting in engaging a handle of a user and for carrying and/ormobility of the container 68. Accordingly, the front wall 42 and/or therear wall 46 may define selected engagement portions, such as the curvedregions 78, 124, to assist in moving and/or for structural rigidity ofthe container 68.

The side walls 34, 38 may also form upper curved or angled regions, suchas a first curve 130 and a second curve 134. The respective curves 130,134 may also have radiuses 136, 138, respectively. Again, the radiuses136, 138 may extend from arc or circle centers 140, 142, respectively.Accordingly, in the upper region 114 of the container 68 various curvedportions may be formed of the container 68 to assist in providing aselected rigidity and/or mobility of the container 68. Thus, thecontainer assembly 30 may be easily moved by a user, such as a singleuser, even when filled with the selected fluid, such as water. Thecurved and angled portions, as noted above, may assist in increasing agrip or resist slipping when help in hands of a user. In addition, thedimensions and curves may assist in providing an aesthetic acceptable tousers. The dimensions may further enhance storage space adjacent to thecontainer assembly 30.

The lid 58, as noted above, may be selectively disengaged from thecontainer 68, such as from within the upper region 114. With referenceto FIG. 5, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 11, the lid 58 is shown in explodedview from the container 68. The lid 58 may include one or moreprojections or detents 150 that may engage one or more indents 154 ofthe container 68. The indents 154 may extend into or from a surface 156of an interior portion of the side walls 34, 38. The detents 150 mayextend from a ridge or a wall 160 that extends from a bottom surface 164of the lid 58. The detents 150 may engage the indents 154 to hold orlock the lid 58 to the container 68.

An internal wall or projection 164 may extend from an upper surface nearthe upper region 114 of the container 68. The wall 164 may extend aroundor contact the wall 160 of the lid 58, when the lid 58 is placed on thecontainer 68. The inner wall 164 may include one or more alignment orholding regions, such as a projection or raised ridge 168 which mayengage or be received in a recess 170 of the wall 160 extending from thelid 58. Accordingly, the lid 58 may be engaged to the container 68 in asubstantially locked or held manner.

It is understood that other engagement features may also be added and/oras an alternative to the detents 150 and the indents 154. For example acontinuous ridge may extend from the wall 160 to be engaged in acontinuous furrow or depression formed within the container 68. Further,additional mechanical latches may provide for a secure connection and/orselectively lockable connection between the lid 58 and the container 68.Also, the wall 160 may include a high friction material to engage theinternal surface 156 of the container 68.

With reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 14, the lid 58 may define an accessportal or fill portal 174 through the surface 164. The access portal 174may be selectively opened and closed by the access panel 64. The accesspanel 64 may include a holding or engagement portion, such as adepression or well 176. The handle portion 176 may allow for movement ofthe access panel 64 relative to the lid 58. For example, the wall 160may have an internal surface 178 that defines a track or depression 182between a rail 184 and the surface 164. The access panel 64 may have anengagement or rail portion, such as defined by an edge 188, which may bereceived within the track 182. The access panel 64 may further includeone or more projections that may engage one or more indents 184 on therail 184. The projection 192 may engage the indent 194 to assist inholding the access panel 64 in a selected position relative to theportal 174.

A user may move the access panel 64 a selected amount and have itpositively engage and/or be held relative to the lid 58 at a selectedtime. For example, the user may slide the access panel 64 to open theaccess port 174, as illustrated in phantom 64′ in FIG. 14. The accessportal 174, therefore, may be the only opening needed to fill thecontainer volume 62.

In various embodiments, the user may engage the handle or engagementportion 176 and slide the access panel 64 toward the rear wall 46, suchas generally in the direction of arrow 198. At a selected point orposition, the access panel 64 may engage the rail 184 by the projection192 engaging the indent 194. The access panel 64 may then be held in theselected open position such that a material may be placed into thecontainer volume 62 though the portal 174. At a selected time, the usermay then move the access panel 64 toward the front wall 42, such asgenerally in the direction of arrow 202 to close the access port 174.Thus, the access port 174 may be opened and closed for filling thecontainer volume 62.

The access panel 64 may further have an indication projection or wall204 that may assist in the visual indication of a full or max volume ormax fill level of the container volume 62. Accordingly, the user mayfill the container 68 without removing the entire lid 58 from thecontainer 68. Rather, the user may simply slide or move the access panel64 to a selected position to allow filling of the container volume 62though the portal 174.

The container assembly 30 includes the spigot assembly 50 as illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 3. The spigot assembly 50 extends from the front wall 42of the container 68. The spigot assembly 50 further, however, includesportions that extend internally or toward the rear wall 46 of thecontainer 68. In various embodiments, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG.10, the spigot assembly 50 may include an external exit port 220 and ahandle 224. The spigot assembly 50 may further include an internal orengagement portion or region 226 that may assist in holding the spigotassembly 50 relative to the container 68. Further, the spigot assembly50 may engage a filter assembly 230, as discussed further herein.

With continuing reference to FIG. 10 and additional reference to FIGS. 6and 7, the container assembly 30 further includes the bottom wall orfloor 66 that may include a first region 244 that is generally near thespigot assembly 50 and a second region 248 that extends rearward or awayfrom the spigot assembly 50 toward the rear wall 46. The floor 66 mayextend between the side walls 34, 38. Further legs or bottom portions,such as at the bottom portion 110 of the container 68, may extend pastthe floor 66 and encompass or enclose the portion of the spigot assembly50 that extends within the container 68. For example, the first sidewall 34 may include and/or have extending therefrom a first leg 250 andthe second side wall 38 may include and/or have extending therefrom asecond leg 254. The two legs 250, 254 may have dimensions that allow forat least a portion of the container 68 to extend from the first portion248 away from the top region 114 of the container 68. Accordingly, thefloor 66 may be held above a surface on which the container 68 rests.Further, a rear leg or connector 258 may extend between the twoelongated legs 250, 254. Accordingly, the floor 66 of the container 68may not contact a surface on which the container 68 rests. Additionalsupport may extend from the floor 66, such as forward supports or wall262 to assist in holding the container 68 from a support surface.

The floor 66 may extend at an angle or be positioned at an angle 268relative to a bottom surface or contacting surface 270 of the legs 250,254. The angle may be about 0.5 degrees to about 8 degrees, includingabout 1.5 degrees about a flat or level surface (e.g. 0 degrees). Theangle 268 may cause, direct, and/or urge a fluid to generally bepositioned near the spigot assembly 50 near the front wall 42 of thecontainer 68. Accordingly, a fluid, such as a liquid including water,may be urged or directed toward the spigot 50 when the container 68 ispositioned on a substantially flat surface. Thus, the container 68 maysubstantially emptied during use thereof. In other words, the container68 may be substantially emptied or fluid through the spigot assembly 50without tilting the moving the container assembly 30 from a flatsurface.

Further, the first region 244 of the floor 66 may allow for enclosing orencapsulation of the spigot assembly 50, including the filter assembly230 connected to the spigot assembly internal portion 226. The firstregion 244 may also be referred to as a sump. Thus, the floor 66 mayinclude only a small or only a portion thereof that is the lowestportion or a sump. Further, the second portion 246 may be angled towardor to the first portion 244. Thus, the fluid in the container may bemaximized that is emptied or dispensed through the spigot assembly 50without tilting the container 68.

As discussed above, the container 68 may include various features toassist in portability of the container 68. For example, the handle 54may be engaged by the user to hold or move the container 68. Further,the radius or curved regions 78, 124 may assist in holding the container68. In addition, as noted above, the floor 66 may extend from the rearwall 46 toward the front wall 42. The legs 250, 254 may extend below thewall floor 66 and create a depression or void 276. The void 276 mayassist the user in grasping around the legs 250, 254 to assist in movingor holding the container 68. Further, the rear leg 258 may extend or bepositioned at an angle relative to the rear wall 46 and a rear portion278 of the floor 66. Accordingly, the rear leg 258 and the rear portion278 of the floor 66 may define a second void or area 282 that may alsoact as a hand hold or gripping region to engage the container 68. Thus,the container 68 may be grasped at the upper sides and/or front and rearportions, and further at bottom portions near the floor 66.

With continuing reference to FIG. 10, and additional reference to FIG.11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14, the spigot assembly 50 will bedescribed in greater detail. As noted above, the spigot assembly 50includes the exit port 220 and handle 224, which may form part of avalve assembly 300. Connected to the valve assembly 300 is the filterassembly 230 via the internal or interconnection portion 226 of thevalve assembly 300.

With initial reference to FIG. 13, the filter assembly 230 may include afilter member portion 301 that may be substantially replaceableincluding an internal core portion 310 around which a filter member ormedia 314 is wrapped or positioned. In various embodiments, the filtermedia 314 may be wrapped in one or two wraps around the core 310. Thecore 310 may be substantially open at a first end 316 and selectivelyopen or closed at a second end 318. The filter media 314 may be fixed tothe core portion 310 in a selected manner, such as with an adhesive,welding, or the like. The filter assembly 230 may further include a capor engagement member 322 to cap or cover the core portion 316. An O-ring312 or other appropriate sealing member may also engage the core 310 toassist in sealing and/or holding the filter portion.

The filtering assembly or filter member portion 301, including the core310, a filter media 310, and the cap 322, may be interconnected with anouter cage or filter holding portion 326. The cage 326 may include anouter portion 328 that includes a plurality of bores, slots, orthoughbores 330 such that a fluid may pass through the bores 330, thefilter media 314, the core 310, and the cap 322 to exit the valveportion 300.

The filter assembly portion 230 and/or filter member portion 301 may beany appropriate filter assembly portion, such as that disclosed in U.S.Pat. Pub. No. 2015/0166364, published Jun. 18, 2015; U.S. Pat. Pub. No.2016/0376165, published Dec. 29, 2016; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2018/0319672,published Nov. 8, 2018; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2018/0250615, published Sep.6, 2018; and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2018/0264382, published Sep. 20, 2018;each incorporated herein by reference. Filter member portion 301 mayalso include the Stream® filters sold by Brita LP having a place ofbusiness at California, USA. Accordingly, the filter assembly 230 may beconnected to the valve assembly 300, such as with the cage portion 326having a valve connection end or portion 340. In various embodiments,the filter medium 310 may include an activated carbon. The activatedcarbon may be a felt or other appropriate textile. Further, theactivated carbon may be placed between a selected textile, such as ahydrophilic (e.g. cellulose) fabric.

In various embodiments, the container volume may hold about 25 fluidcups. In various embodiments, the container volume 62 may be about fourliters (L) to about 7 L, including about 6 L. The filter portion 301 mayallow a selected flow rate through the filter assembly 230, when thevalve assembly is opened, as discussed herein. The flow rate may beabout 0.25 gallons per minute to about two gallons per minute, includingabout 0.5 gallons per minute to about 0.9 gallons per minute, andfurther including about 0.75 gallons per minute to about 0.69 gallonsper minute. The flow rate may be used to determine a total volume flow,in various embodiments, as discussed herein.

The valve connection portion 340 may include a selected connection, suchas or including a quarter turn connection or a bayonet connectionportion 344 that may engage a complementary bayonet connection orquarter turn connection portion 348 formed on a wall or extensionportion 352 of the valve assembly 330. It is understood that theconnection portion 344, 348, may include a plurality of connectionportions such that more than one interconnection between the cage 326and the valve assembly 300 is made. It is understood, however, that anyappropriate number of connections may be made and one or two or four ismerely exemplary.

The spigot assembly 50 may include the valve assembly portion 300, asillustrated in FIG. 14. The valve assembly 300 may include the internalor engagement portion 226 that engages the container 68. As illustratedin FIGS. 10 and 11, above, the container engagement section 226 mayinclude an outer wall or front wall portion 350 and a second orengagement wall 354. It is understood that the front wall 350 mayinclude a unitary or split portion, including a left and right portion,such as a front wall 350 a and a front wall 350 b. The two front walls350 may engage in a front or portion of the wall 42 of the container ata spigot engagement section or region 360. The spigot engagement wall360 may form or define a portal or passage 364 through the front wall 42into the internal volume 62 of the container 68.

The rear or engagement walls 354 may be formed at a selected angle orposition such that the spigot assembly 50 may be positioned into theportal 364 in a first orientation and rotated a selected amount, such asgenerally in the direction of 368, to lock or fix the spigot assembly 50to the container 68. It is understood that the spigot assembly 50 may beselectively fixed or connected to the container 68, such as by rotatingthe spigot assembly in the direction of arrow 368 to lock the spigotassembly 50 to the container 68. The locking or engagement walls 354 ofthe spigot assembly 50 may engage internal locking walls 372 of thecontainer 68. The internal locking wall 372 may extend radially from aninternal wall 436 that extends internally from the front wall 42. Theinternal wall may further support at least a portion of the spigotassembly 50.

The spigot assembly 50 may be passed through the portal 364 in a firstorientation and then rotated in the direction of arrow 368 to have theengaging walls 354 of the spigot assembly 50 engage the internalengagement walls 372. The engagement walls 354 may be formed in an angle376 relative to a long axis 378 of the spigot assembly 50. Thus, byrotating the spigot assembly 50 the engagement walls 354 may apply aforce to the internal engagement walls 372.

Accordingly, rotating the spigot assembly 50 in a direction opposite thearrow 368 may disengage the engagement walls 354 from the internalengagement walls 372. Markings or indicia on the front wall 42 mayindicate a positioning of the spigot assembly 50 for engagement ordisengagement from the container 68. For example, an “unlocked” markingor indication 380 may indicate an insertion or unlocked position of thespigot assembly 50. A “locked” marking 384 may show a locked or fixedposition of the spigot assembly 50. The position of the handle 224 maybe used as an indicator relative to the indications 380, 384 on thecontainer 68.

A secondary or latch member 390 may be moveably held relative to theengagement portion 226 of the valve assembly 300 including a valve bodyor holding portion 394. The valve body 394 may define a portion, such asa groove or depression 396 defined or formed by at least a first sidewall 398. The latch member 390 may be held relative to the groove 396with a latch or holding finger 402 that engages or is held in a grooveor depression 406 formed in the wall 398.

The latch member 390, however, may move relative to the body 394, suchas generally in the direction of the double headed arrow 410, in ahinged manner. The latch member 390 may move due to a volume or spacedefined by the groove 406 that engages the finger 402. The latch member390 may be biased in a selected direction, such as away from the bodymember 394, with a biasing member such as a coil spring 414, or otherappropriate portion. The biasing spring 414 may bias the catch 390 awayfrom the body member 394 to allow it to catch or engage the container68.

The latch member 394 may include a projection or portion 416 that may beselectively received in a groove or depression 418 formed within aninternal wall that defines the portal 364. Accordingly, the latch member390 may engage the depression 418 in the container 68 to assist inholding or latching the spigot assembly 50 relative to the container 68.At a selected time, the user may disengage the latch member 390 from thecontainer 68 by depressing the latch member 390 toward the body 394 bypushing on a portion of the latch member 390, such as a fingerengagement or engaging portion or region 420. The finger engaging orengaging portion 420 may be positioned near the front wall 42, such asthe engaging wall 360, and behind or between the wall and the exit port220. The user may push the finger engaging portion 420 toward the handle224, generally in the direction of arrow 424, to move the engagement orprojection member 416 also in the general direction of arrow 424.

When depressed, the spigot assembly 50, therefore, may be disengagedwith the engagement wall 354 and/or the latch member 390 to thecontainer 68. When released, the latch member 390 may engage thecontainer 68 and the spigot assembly 50 may be engaged to the container68 in a substantially positive and/or locking manner to hold the spigotassembly 50 to the container 68. The latch assembly, including the latchmember 390, may resist rotational motion of the spigot assembly 50relative to the container 68 and/or axial movement, such as generallyalong the axis 378. As the engagement walls 354 axially hold the spigotassembly 50 within the container 68, such as during operation of thevalve assembly, such as with the handle 224 and resisting rotationassists in maintaining the engagement within the container 68. Furtherthe engagement walls 354 may hold the spigot assembly 50 to thecontainer 68 such as under a pressure from a volume of fluid within acontainer 68.

The spigot assembly 50 may further include various sealing or lockingportions, such as a sealing assembly including an O-ring or sealingmember 430 that may be held or engaged within a sealing groove 434formed on the engagement portion 226. The O-ring 430 may engage theinner wall portion or area 436 to assist in forming a fluid tight, suchas water tight, seal between the spigot assembly 50 and the containerwall 436 to substantially fluid or liquid seal the container 68. Thevalve assembly 300, however, may selectively allow for a fluid to exitthough the outlet 220 through operation of a valve assembly, asdiscussed further herein, with the handle 224.

In various embodiments, therefore, the spigot assembly 50 may be removedfrom the container 68 as a single unit or portion. The valve assembly300 connected to the filter assembly may be removed, as noted above.Thus, the filter assembly, or a portion thereof such as the filterportion 301, may be removed from the valve assembly 300 exterior to thecontainer 68. The filter portion 230, therefore, need not be accessedfrom within the container 68. Also, the floor 66 may be formed, asdiscussed above, to ensure a substantially (e.g. about 95% to about99.9% empty) or entirely empty container 68 prior to accessing orremoving the spigot assembly.

With continuing reference to FIG. 14, and additional reference to FIG.15, the valve assembly 300 is illustrated in greater detail. Asdiscussed above, the valve assembly 300 may operate to start and stopflow of a fluid from the container. The valve assembly 300 may furtherbe connected to the filter assembly 230. It is understood, however, thatthe filter assembly 230 need not be connected to the valve assembly 300for the valve assembly 300 to operated.

The handle 224, of the valve assembly 330, may include an engagementportion or holding portion 450 that may be held or moved or engaged by auser, such as a digit or multiple digits thereof. The handle member 224may further include a body portion 454 that may be engaged or heldrelative to a cap or plunger cap portion or member 456. The handle 224may further include a cover or flange extending at an angle relative tothe engagement portion 450.

The plunger cap 456 may include selected members or fingers, such as afirst projection 458 and a second projection 460. The two projections458, 460 may include internal walls or side portions that engage thebody member 454, such as at an axle or swivel portion 464. The axle 464may be engaged within or engaged to the side walls 458, 460 to allow formovement or rotation of the handle assembly 224.

In various embodiments, the handle 224 may move to unseal the valveassembly 300. To unseal, the handle member 224 may be rotated or movedforward, such as generally in the direction of arrow 468. The handlemember 224, therefore, may rotate relative to the plunger cap 456. Thevalve assembly 300 may be resealed by moving the handle member 224 in anopposite direction of arrow 468.

The plunger cap 456 may define or have a through bore or passage 468that allows a plunger 472 to pass there through. The plunger 472 mayinclude a handle engaging portion 476 that may engage a portion of thebody 454 of the handle 224. The handle body 454 may include a selectedgeometry or design such that rotating it in the direction of arrow 468causes an internal portion or portion of the body 454 to generally movein the direction of arrow 480, such as away from the outlet 220. Theplunger member 472, therefore, being engaged or fixed to the body 454,may also move in the direction of arrow 480 when the handle 224 is movedin the direction of arrow 468. The plunger member 472, however, may begenerally biased in the direction of arrow 484 with a selected biasingmember, such as a spring bias member 486. The spring bias member 486 maybias the plunger 472 generally in the direction of arrow 484.

The plunger 472 may be engaged or fixed to a plunger seal 490. Theplunger seal 490 may be engaged to the plunger 472 in any appropriatemanner, such as having an internal bore that is fixed to, such as withan interference fixture, adhesive, or the like. The plunger seal 490 mayalso include a valve or sealing portion 494 that may engage a valve seatformed within an outlet body 500 of the valve assembly 300.

The plunger body 500, therefore, may have a selected valve seat 506formed therein. The plunger seal 490 may be moved away from the valveseat 506 by the plunger 472. Opening the valve seal may open a passagethrough the valve assembly 300, such as through an outlet passage orbore 510. The passage 510 may be formed through the valve assembly 300and into the container 68. The passage 510, however, may be covered bythe filter assembly 230, as discussed above. Accordingly, upon openingthe valve assembly 300, such as by moving the plunger seal 490 away fromthe valve seat 560 a fluid may flow through the filter assembly 230,such as generally in the direction of arrows 514 and 516 through thepassage 510 and out the outlet 220, generally in the direction of arrow520.

Thus, movement of the handle 224 may allow the plunger seal 490 to moveaway from the valve seat 506 and allow fluid to flow from the containervolume 620 out the outlet 220. Generally, a volume of the fluid withinthe container volume 620 would be above the outlet passage 510 to movepast the valve assembly 300 and out of the container 689. The valveassembly 300, therefore, may be operated to withdraw or allow exit offluid from the container 68.

Allowing fluid to exit the container 68 through the valve assembly 300,however, may be regulated and/or monitored by a selecting monitoring orcontrol assembly 550. The monitoring assembly 550 may include variouscomponents, such as those discussed further herein. In particular, forexample, the fluid monitoring assembly 550 may monitor a flow of fluidout of the container 68. Additionally, the fluid monitoring assembly 550may include an indicator, such as a user indicator 554 to indicatevarious information to the user, such as a useful life of the filterassembly 230, volume of fluid within the container 68, volume of fluiddispensed through the valve assembly 300, or other appropriateindications.

The monitoring assembly 550 may include various components such as acircuit board 570 that may be formed as a printed circuit board (PCB) inan appropriate manner. The PCB 570 may include various components suchas a processor member 571, traces and/or vias to interconnect variouscomponents, capacitors, resistors, or the like. The PCB 570, therefore,may include a control system that executes instructions and may be savedon a memory system 572 incorporated therewith, for various purposes.Connected to the PCB 570 may be a power source 574 which may include oneor more battery cells 574 a and 574 b that are connected to and/ortransfer power to the various portions of the monitoring assembly 550,such as components on the PCB 570, via one or more terminals, such as afirst terminal 578 and a second terminal 580. The power cell 574 maypower the monitoring assembly 550 for a selected period of time such asa period of days, months, or a plurality of years.

The monitoring assembly 550 may further include various components suchas a sensor member 590 that may sense environmental light impingingthereon such as during removal of the spigot assembly 50 from thecontainer 68, removal of the filter assembly 230 from the valve assembly300, and/or movement of the handle 224, as discussed further herein. Thesensor 590 may transmit a signal to a controller or other portion of thePCB 570, to provide a count and/or timing signal thereto, as discussedfurther herein.

A light source or emitter, such as a light emitting diode (LED) 594 mayalso be provided. The LED 594 may interconnected with the PCB 570 toemit light at a selected time. The LED 594 may emit light, as discussedfurther herein. In various embodiments, the PCB 570 may be held orencapsulated in a selected member such as in a bottom housing 600 and atop housing 604. The bottom housing 600 may also hold or encapsulate atleast a portion of the indicator 554. The indicator 554 may also bereferred to as a light pipe. As illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 12, theindicator 554 may be viewable relative to the spigot body 500. Further,as illustrated in FIG. 1, the indicator 554 may be viewable by a userwhen the container assembly 30 is assembled. Accordingly, the LED 594may emit a light and the indicator or light pipe 554 may transmit thelight exterior to the container 68 for viewing by the user.

The light pipe 554 further includes a light receiving portion 610 thatmay immediately receive light emitted by the LED 594. The light pipe 554further includes the light transmission portion 614 that may transmitthe light to a selected region. The light pipe 554 further includes anindication or viewing region or portion 616 that may be viewed by theuser when the container assembly 30 is fully assembled. Accordingly, theuser may view light emitted by the LED 594 at the indication region 616without disassembling or removing the spigot assembly 50 from thecontainer 68. Moreover, the indication or viewable region 616 mayinclude a selected geometry or shape, such as a plurality of ridges or alenticular portion 618. The lenticular portion 618 may allow for aselected dispersion and/or viewing angle of light emitted by the LED 594at a selected time.

As discussed above, the PCB 570 may include the controller 571 that isable to execute selected instructions. The instructions may includeoperating the LED 594 at an appropriate time and/or manner. As discussedfurther herein, therefore, the user may view the operation of the LED594, which may be based upon executing instructions by the processor,via the indicator 554 such as through the ventricular portions 618.

In various embodiments, the PCB 570 may include various or haveprotective portions connected thereto, such as a protective portion orcover 620. The cover 620 may limit transmission of light away from theindicator 554 and/or to the sensor 590. The cover 620 may also includeor provide a water tight seal over selected components of the PCB 570.The cover 620 may also limit light entering or contacting portionsrelative to the PCB 570, as discussed herein.

Finally, in various embodiments, the control system 550 may be used toprovide an indication of selected functions and/or statuses ofcomponents of the container assembly 30, such as filter capacity of thefilter assembly 230. Therefore, replacement of the filter assembly 230may provide or require a reset of a count and/or timing count for use ofthe filter assembly 230. In various embodiments, the sensor 590 maysense light (e.g. ambient light) when the filter assembly 230 is removedfrom the valve assembly 300. The signal from the sensor 590 may be usedto reset the counter of the system 550. The counter or flow count,therefore, may be substantially automatically reset. This may be used todetermine or indicate a life span or filtering use of the filter media.It is understood, however, that a user may also provide a manual orphysical indication or signal, such as selectively pressing and holdinga resent bottom 630. The button 630, therefore, may be provided to resetthe timer and/or other mechanisms of the control system 550.

The button 630 assembly may include a mechanical push button 634 thatmay project through a portion of the case 604 to be depressed oraccessed by a user. The button 634 may be pressed by a user to depress aswitch 638 that is connected to the PCB 570. The switch 638 may send asignal to selected components of the PCB 570, such as the controllerthereon, to reset a timer, start a timer, or other appropriate signals.The switch 638 may be mounted to the PCB, but spaced apart from aportion of the housing 604. Accordingly, a button 634 may be biased in aselected direction, such as away from the switch 638 with a selectedbiasing portion, such as a biasing spring or biasing movable hinge 640.Further, the switch 638 may be housed and/or contained with a stand 644which may also protect the switch 638 from pressure applied by thebutton 634. Nevertheless, the user may access the switch 638, such asthough the button 634, for various purposes as discussed herein.

The button assembly 630 may also be selectively contacted by the handle224. As noted above, the handle 224 may include the flange 718. Theflange 718 may engage the button 634 when closed. The button 634 and,therefore, the switch 638 may generate a signal, when the handle 224 ismoved to the opened position. Thus, the signal may be used to determinewhen the valve is opened and a time may be used to calculate a flow orvolume of fluid passing through the filter assembly 300. Accordingly,the switch assembly 630 may be used for resetting and/or flowdeterminations.

As noted above, the spigot assembly 50 may include the valve assembly300 and the filter assembly 230. The spigot assembly 50 may beefficiently removed and/or installed into the container 68. Further, thefilter assembly 230 may be replaced, or at least portions thereof, suchas the filter media and/or core 310, at selected times. The spigotassembly 50 may be removed from the container 68 by depressing themember 390 and twisting the spigot assembly 50 in a selected manner tounlock and disengage the spigot assembly 50 from the container 68. In areverse manner, the spigot assembly may be inserted into the container68 and rotated to engage the engagement walls, such as the outer walls350 and/or the engagement wall 354 with the container 68 to connect thespigot assembly 50 to the container 68. Moreover, the control assembly550 may be used to provide information to the selected user based uponuse of the container assembly 30, such as amount of filtered fluid (e.g.water) and/or other appropriate portions.

The spigot assembly 50 may be provided in various embodiments.Accordingly, a spigot assembly 50′ is illustrated in FIG. 18. The spigotassembly 50 may include various portions that are similar and/or equalto spigot portions as discussed above. Accordingly, the valve assembly300′ will be described in a manner similar to that described above withthe differences indicated therein.

The valve assembly 300′ may include the handle 224 as described above.The handle 224 may engage and/or be positioned within the plunger cap456. Further the plunger 472 may pass through the bore 468 of theplunger cap 456 and engage a portion of the handle 224. Thus, theplunger 472 may move due to movement of the handle 224, such as inrotation of the handle generally in the direction of the arrow 368. Theplunger 472 may therefore, move generally in the direction of arrow 480when the handle 224 is moved in a selected direction, such as in thedirection of arrow 368.

The plunger 472 may be engaged within and/or connect to the sealingplunger or plunger seal 490 that includes a seal portion or member 494.Further, a biasing member or spring 486 may bias the plunger 472 and/orthe plunger seal 490 generally in a direction to seal the valve assembly300′, such as generally in the direction of the arrow 484. The plungerseal 490 may sit against a seat 650 within a valve or spigot body 654,as similar to the valve seat 506 as discussed above. Further, the valvespigot 654 may have an outlet 658 that communicates with a passagethrough the spigot body 654. Thus, movement of the handle 224 may sealor unseal the valve, such as the plunger seal 490 from the valve seat650 within the spigot body 654 to allow passage of a fluid through theoutlet 658, similar to a passage of a fluid through the outlet 220.

The valve assembly 300′ may further include the exterior walls 350′ andthe engagement walls or portions 354′, similar to the walls 350 and 354discussed above. Accordingly, the spigot body 650 may be fixed to thecontainer 68 in a manner similar to that discussed above. In variousembodiments, however, a filter engaging wall portion 668 having thefilter engaging fingers or portions 348 thereon, may be shorter indimension than the wall 352, discussed above. The filter assembly 230,however, may still engage with the spigot body 654 in an appropriatemanner, such as that discussed above.

The spigot assembly 300′ may further include a catch member 390 and thebiasing spring 414, as discussed above. The catch member 390 and thebiasing spring 414 may be substantially similar to that as discussedabove. However, the dimensions of the spigot body 654 and the catchmember 390 may be augmented depending upon the relative sizes thereof.

The valve assembly 300′ may further include a monitoring system 550′.The monitoring system 550′ may be housed between a first or upperhousing 670 and the spigot body 654. Thus, the control assembly 550 maynot be housed between two housing members, but may be held directlyagainst the spigot assembly or spigot body 654. Nevertheless, themonitoring assembly 550′ may include a PCB 570′ that may include variouscomponents, such as a control and/or memory. Further, the controlassembly 570′ may include a power cell portion 574′ which may includeone or more battery or coin cells. The coin cells may be connected tothe PCB 570′ in an appropriate manner to provide power thereto. Thecontrol mechanism 550′ may include a sensor 590 to communicate orreceive an indication of light, such as with movement of the handle 224.

The control assembly 550 may further include the LED 594 that may emit alight or light signal based upon controls from a sensor or controller ofthe PCB 570. The LED 594 may be received in an indicator portion ormember 680 that may include a LED receiving portion 684 and LEDtransmission portion 686 and a viewable or indicator portion 690. Theindicator portion 690 may be smooth and/or include lenticular portions,as discussed above. Further, the light transmission portion 686 may besubstantially larger and may be a full width of a volume within thespigot body 654. Accordingly, the LED 594 may emit a light that istransmitted to the viewable portion 690. The viewable portion 690 may besimilar in position to the viewable portion 616, as discussed above, tobe viewed by the user in the container assembly 30. The containerassembly 30, therefore, may include a selected spigot assembly,including the spigot assembly 50 or a spigot assembly including thevalve assembly 300′. It is understood that the light pipe or indicatorportions 680 and/or 550 may be provided in any appropriate dimension orsize to transmit light from a selected light source, such as the LED594, for viewing by the user.

The spigot assembly 50, as noted above, includes the indicator 554, orselected indicator according to various embodiments. The indicator 554may include a user visible portion, such as the user visible portion616.

The user visible portion 616 may be used to provide an indication to theuser regarding selected features and/or indications, such as a lifetimeof the filter assembly 320, or other appropriate feature. In variousembodiments, as noted above, the control system 550 may include aselected processor that is able to execute instructions to provide anindication to the user. With reference to FIGS. 1-18 and additionalreference to FIG. 19, a process 700 for providing an indication to auser is illustrated. The indication process 700 is illustrated as aprocess or algorithm that may be carried out as instructions executed bya processor. The monitoring system 550 may include selected informationthat may be accessed and executed by the processor 571. The memory 572may be incorporated into the processor 571 and/or separate therefrom.

Regardless, the process 700 may be executed for an indication to theuser. For example, the process 700 may begin at start block 710 and moveto determination of whether a valve is open or fluid is flowing in block714. The determination of whether the valve is open in block 714 may bebased upon selected inputs or signals. For example, as noted above, themonitoring system 550 may include one or more sensors, such as thesensor 590 that may sense ambient light. The handle 224 may include theflap or paddle portion 718 that may be covering an opening or portal 720and a portion of the spigot assembly or valve assembly 300. When thehandle 224 moves in the direction of arrow 468, as illustrated in FIG.17, the flap 718 may move and allow ambient light to enter the opening720, or other appropriate opening. Alternatively and/or in additiontherefore, the flap 718 may also engage the button assembly 630 togenerate a signal that flow is occurring. Thus, various sensors may beused to determine flow or an open state of the valve assembly 300.

The signal sent by a sensor after sensing light may be an indicationthat the valve is open. Additionally, other sensors may be provided suchas a paddle wheel, inductive flow, flow switch, or the like may bepositioned relative to the valve assembly 300, such as within thepassage 510 or other portion of the valve assembly 300 to determinewhether water or other fluid is flowing. Alternative or additionalsensors or switches may be positioned relative to the plunger seat 456to determine movement of the handle 224 to determine whether the valveis open or fluid is flowing.

If a determination is that the valve is not open or no fluid is flowinga NO-path 730 may be followed to restart the process at start block 710.However, if a determination is made that the valve is open or fluid isflowing a YES-path 734 may be followed.

After determining that the valve is open and following the YES-path 734,a determination of a volume already passed or delivered and/or timesince a reset may be made in block 740. A determination of a volumepassed may be based upon a direct measurement of a flow meter, such as awater wheel, as discussed above. Additionally, the monitoring system 550may include a timer that has timed an amount of time that the valve hasor is open and an estimation of a volume of fluid has passed may bemade. Thus, a determination based upon a time since a first opening orsince a reset may be used to determine total volume passed.

As noted above, the monitoring system 550 may include a hard resetsystem, including the switch 638 that may be used to reset a timer.Additionally, the filter assembly 230 may engage and/or operativelydepress or activate a reset upon removal and placement of at least aportion of the filter assembly, such as the cage 326. Also, as discussedabove, the sensor 590 may be used to sense ambient light when the filterassembly is removed, and thus assumed to be replaced. Accordingly, thecontrol system 550 may include a timer that may be reset. Thus, adetermination may be made to determine a volume passed and/or timepassed since a reset in block 740.

After determining an amount or volume of time that has passed in block740, a determination of whether a volume of time is at or over athreshold, may be made, in block 744. A threshold may be any appropriatethreshold such as a volume and/or time. The threshold may be saved inthe memory system 572 and may be recalled by the processor system 571 tomake a determination of whether a threshold has been met. Accordingly, adetermination of whether a volume or time threshold has been met is madein block 744.

If the threshold has not been met a NO-path 748 may be followed to showa first indication signal for a first time or a time equal to a selectedamount X in block 752. For example, if the NO-path 748 is followed, afirst indication may be powering of a green light or powering the LED594 to be green for a selected period of time. The period of time may beany appropriate period of time such as about 1 second, 2 seconds, 3seconds, or any appropriate time. Regardless, a first indication orsignal may be made when the NO-path 748 is followed. Accordingly, theuser may view the indicator 554 and view a selected color, such asgreen, and understand that a threshold has not been met as determined bythe control system 550.

If a determination is that a volume or time threshold has been met inblock 744, a YES-path 760 may be followed. If the YES-path 760 isfollowed a showing or forming of a second signal for a time in block 764may be made. The time for showing the second signal may be anyappropriate time, and may be similar or identical to the time forshowing the first signal. The second signal, however, may differ fromthe first signal, such as different color, intensity, or other feature.For example, the second signal may be a second color such as a colorred. The LED 594 may, therefore, be powered to show red and the user mayview it at the indicator 554.

It is understood that any appropriate number of thresholds may bedetermined and that a second threshold may provide for an indication ofa third signal, such as a rapid blinking red color or other signal toindicate a different condition and/or stage of condition of a portion ofthe container assembly 30, such as the lifespan of the filter assembly230.

After the showing of the signal for a selected time with the indicator554, return paths from both the signal blocks 752, 764 may be made tothe start block 710. Accordingly, the control system 550 may cyclethrough the process 700 at a selected period and/or when the valve isopen in block 714 and be understood to be a loop or repeated process.Accordingly, opening the valve in block 714 may operate a switch toindicate that the process 700 should initiate such that the system is ina sleep mode until the valve is determined to be open in block 714.

Regardless, the monitoring system 550 may operate to provide anindication to a user of various status features of the containerassembly 30. For example, the monitoring system 550 may be used toprovide an indicator to the user of the lifespan of the filter assembly.Additionally, indications may be made regarding a flow rate, batterylife, or other information to the user with the indicator 554 based uponthe control system 550.

The container assembly 30, therefore, may include the monitoring system550. The monitoring system 550 may automatically monitor selectedfeatures, such as a filter amount of time of the filter assembly 230.The monitoring system 550 may automatically monitor and provideindications, as noted above, by generating and receiving selectedsignals (e.g. from the button assembly 630 and/or sensor 590) andevaluating the same with the processor system 571. The monitoring system550, therefore, may execute instructions and receive signals fromsensors or switches, as generally understood by one skilled in the art.

The container 68 may also be filled through the lid 58 and/or the accesspanel 64. The filling of the container 68 may be done with direct accessto the floor 66. The fluid entering the container 68 through the lid oraccess panel 64 need not encounter a filter prior to filling or beingplaced in the container volume 62. The filter assembly 230 may operateto filter water, on demand, as the fluid exits the container 68.

Instructions may be executed by a processor and may include may includesoftware, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs,routines, functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. The termshared processor circuit encompasses a single processor circuit thatexecutes some or all code from multiple modules. The term groupprocessor circuit encompasses a processor circuit that, in combinationwith additional processor circuits, executes some or all code from oneor more modules. References to multiple processor circuits encompassmultiple processor circuits on discrete dies, multiple processorcircuits on a single die, multiple cores of a single processor circuit,multiple threads of a single processor circuit, or a combination of theabove. The term shared memory circuit encompasses a single memorycircuit that stores some or all code from multiple modules. The termgroup memory circuit encompasses a memory circuit that, in combinationwith additional memories, stores some or all code from one or moremodules.

The apparatuses and methods described in this application may bepartially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created byconfiguring a general purpose computer to execute one or more particularfunctions embodied in computer programs. The computer programs includeprocessor-executable instructions that are stored on at least onenon-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programsmay also include or rely on stored data. The computer programs mayinclude a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardwareof the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact withparticular devices of the special purpose computer, one or moreoperating systems, user applications, background services andapplications, etc.

The computer programs may include: (i) assembly code; (ii) object codegenerated from source code by a compiler; (iii) source code forexecution by an interpreter; (iv) source code for compilation andexecution by a just-in-time compiler, (v) descriptive text for parsing,such as HTML (hypertext markup language) or XML (extensible markuplanguage), etc. As examples only, source code may be written in C, C++,C #, Objective-C, Haskell, Go, SQL, Lisp, Java®, ASP, Pen, Javascript®,HTML5, Ada, ASP (active server pages), Pen, Scala, Erlang, Ruby, Flash®,Visual Basic®, Lua, or Python®.

A processor or module or ‘controller’ may be replaced with the term‘circuit.’ The term ‘module’ may refer to, be part of, or include: anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, ormixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixedanalog/digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; afield programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor circuit (shared,dedicated, or group) that executes code; a memory circuit (shared,dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor circuit;other suitable hardware components that provide the describedfunctionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as ina system-on-chip.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,”“beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be usedherein for ease of description to describe one element or feature'srelationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in thefigures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system to contain a fluid, comprising: a firstsidewall and a second sidewall extending from a first end to a secondend; a first end wall and a second end wall; a bottom wall extendingbetween all of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the first endwall, and the second end wall; a spigot assembly selectively connectedto the first end wall and extending at least partially within a sump;wherein the bottom wall includes a first region and a second region, atleast the first region is angled toward the second end, and the secondregion forms the sump.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bottom wallforms an angle greater than zero degrees relative to a level surface;wherein the angle greater than zero directs a fluid to at least thesecond region.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall andthe second sidewall form a taper of a container formed by the firstsidewall, the second sidewall, the first end wall, the second end wall,and the bottom wall from a top portion of the container toward thebottom wall.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the second endwall extends from a lower portion to an upper portion; wherein an outersurface of the second end wall at the support portion forms a radius;wherein the radius at the upper portion of the second end wall isoperable as a grasping portion of a container.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the first end wall forms an internal spigot engaging portion;wherein the spigot includes a container engaging portion; wherein theinternal spigot engaging portion and container engaging portion includeradially extending complementary engaging walls.
 6. The system of claim5, wherein the radially extending complementary engaging walls fix thespigot assembly to the first end wall with a quarter turn.
 7. The systemof claim 1, wherein the spigot assembly includes a valve assembly and afilter assembly.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the spigot assemblyis removable from the first end wall as a single unit.
 9. A system tocontain a fluid, comprising: a container having: a first sidewall and asecond sidewall extending from a first end to a second end, a first endwall and a second end wall, and a bottom wall extending between all ofthe first sidewall, the second sidewall, the first end wall, and thesecond end wall; a valve assembly operable between an open configurationand a closed configuration to selectively remove a fluid from thecontainer; a filter assembly selectively connectable to the valveassembly to filter a fluid exiting the container; a monitoring system toindicate a feature of the container or the filter.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the monitoring system includes a visual indicator. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein the visual indicator includes a lightpipe to direct a light emitted from a light source.
 12. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the monitoring system is integrated into the valveassembly; wherein the valve assembly and the monitoring system areremovable from the container as a single unit.
 13. The system of claim9, wherein the valve assembly and the filter assembly are selectivelyremovable from the container as a single unit.
 14. The system of claim13, wherein the filter assembly filters the fluid exiting the containerwhen connected to the valve assembly.
 15. The system of claim 13,wherein the monitoring assembly includes a light sensor to senseexistence of light when the filter assembly is selectively removed fromthe valve assembly.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the single unitof the valve assembly and the filter assembly are slidably removablefrom the container.
 17. The system of claim 9, wherein the containerincludes a fill port; wherein the container defines a container volumethat is filed unobstructed through the file port.
 18. A method ofmonitoring a container system, comprising: connecting a monitoringsystem to a container; operating a valve assembly to cause a fluid toexit the container; receiving a signal when the valve assembly isoperated to cause the fluid to exit the container; determining a statusof whether a threshold is reached based at least upon the receivedsignal; and outputting an indication of the determined status.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the determined status is that a thresholdhas not been reached; wherein outputting the indication includesemitting a green light.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:transferring the emitted green light with a light pipe to a userviewable portion.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the determinedstatus is that a threshold has been reached; wherein outputting theindication includes emitting a red light.
 22. The method of claim 21,further comprising: transferring the emitted red light with a light pipeto a user viewable portion.
 23. The method of claim 28, furthercomprising: generating a reset signal based on sensing an ambient lightwhen a filter assembly is removed from a valve assembly.
 24. The methodof claim 23, wherein determining the status of whether the threshold isreached is based at least upon the reset signal.
 25. The method of claim18, further comprising: removing a single unit of the valve assembly anda filter assembly to replace a filter portion.